Jacob Banks (born 24 July 1992) is a British singer-songwriter from Birming… Read Full Bio ↴Jacob Banks (born 24 July 1992) is a British singer-songwriter from Birmingham. Jacob became the first unsigned act to ever appear on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. He supported Emeli Sande on her April 2013 UK tour. Jacob Banks won the 2012 MOBO UnSung regional competition in Birmingham and the Adidas "Are You In" music competition. His music is influenced by a range of genres including soul, R&B and hip-hop. Jacob is currently working with artists such as Chase & Status, Bondax, Jake Gosling, Knox Brown, Plan B and Wretch 32. In September 2016 he signed with Interscope Records.

Mercy
Jacob Banks Lyrics

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Followed your name, into the wild, yeah, yeah
Sold you my shame, I ran a mile
I sing your lullabies, your melodies like a symphony
We burn the same, inside a fire

I just need a little mercy, mercy on me
I could use a little mercy, mercy on me
I drank your holy water, your liberty, your make-believe

I could use a little mercy, oh mercy on me

I played the game, I reconciled, well, well, well, well
I wear the blame, like a suit and tie
I sing your lullabies, your melodies like a symphony
We fall the same, when we walk the wire

I just need a little mercy, mercy on me
I just need a little mercy, mercy on me
I drank your holy water, your liberty, your make-believe
I could use a little mercy, oh mercy on me

I keep burning
You keep turning me down
I keep burning
You keep turning me down

I just need a little mercy, mercy on me
I just need a little mercy, mercy on me

I drank your holy water, your liberty, your make-believe
I could use a little mercy, oh mercy on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Mercy" by Jacob Banks convey a deep and personal plea for help and forgiveness. The singer's guilt and shame are apparent throughout the song as he sings about following someone into the wild and selling them his shame. The person described in the song is someone important to the singer as he sings lullabies and melodies to them. However, the relationship between the two seems to be strained, and it is evident in the repeated plea for mercy. The singer has hit rock bottom and needs mercy to move on.

The mention of the fire indicates a passionate relationship between the singer and the person he is singing to - it's burning hot, however, it's unclear whether the passion is a good thing for him. It could also represent the passion for the wrong things, leading him to the "burning" situation he's in right now.

The chorus is a simple but powerful request for mercy, emphasizing his need to be forgiven, and the usage of repetition adds weight to the plea. It is a reminder that no matter how lost we are, we can still find salvation through the act of asking for mercy. Overall, the song is about the singer's internal struggles, the pain that comes with love, and the need for redemption.

Line by Line Meaning

Followed your name, into the wild, yeah, yeah
I pursued you with great passion, leading to places beyond the familiar, in complete agreement

Sold you my shame, I ran a mile
I confided in you my deepest insecurities and exposed my vulnerabilities, then quickly retreated

I sing your lullabies, your melodies like a symphony
I adoringly sing the songs you make with your own voice

We burn the same, inside a fire
We share the same intense passion and desire

I just need a little mercy, mercy on me
I humbly ask for forgiveness or compassion to ease my struggles

I could use a little mercy, mercy on me
I acknowledge my need for help, kindness or empathy

I drank your holy water, your liberty, your make-believe
I consumed your words and beliefs, your ideals and inspirations

I played the game, I reconciled, well, well, well, well
I participated in the charade, and made amends, or came to terms with the situation or our relationship

I wear the blame, like a suit and tie
I take full responsibility for the situation and let it define me

We fall the same, when we walk the wire
We are equally vulnerable when we venture into the unknown or take risks

I keep burning
I am consumed with intense emotions or passion

You keep turning me down
Your lack of interest or refusal only intensifies my desire or hurt

Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jacob Akintayo Akinoso, Jonathan Percy S. Saxe, Pierre-Luc Rioux, Yonatan Ayal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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